Gypsy camp set up on charity-owned land - Surrey

From Get Surrey

Charity-owned land in Walton has become home to a group of Travellers.

Around eight caravans arrived and set up on land owned by the Walton Charity, at the junction of Severn Drive and Rydens Road, at around 9.30pm on Thursday (July 11).

The site is next door to Sherwood House care home, also run by the charity.

Nigel Lucas, director of residential services at Walton Charity, said: "We are currently looking at what options are available, and keeping an eye on what's going on.

"The number of caravans doesn't seem to be growing. They were noticed at about 9.30pm on Thursday by people in the care home.

"The Travellers have been no trouble to us though, there haven't been any difficulties or disturbance."

Elmbridge Borough Council, which leases the land as public open space from the Walton Charity, said they would be working with them to "repossess the land".

A council spokesman added: "The council's grounds maintenance contractor will be carrying out site litter clearance where practicable. The site will be re-secured and any remaining litter completely cleared when the area is repossessed."

Walton Charity is an amalgamation of 11 charities, the oldest of which dates back 800 years, and it provides almshouses, allotments and grants and relief for those in need.